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| Our friend Fred. |
Your heartbeat pounds in your ears. A breath turns to a gasp. The head is full while the eyes leak.
His heart beats fast. His body shakes. I hold him close. Pat his furry head. While I mount my plan.
If I empty a can of tuna, perhaps he’d eat.
I poured the medicine in. A good strong dose.
As he lay half cradled, the head perked up. In a wane from the panting, he swallowed it up.
My relief was brief. How long would it take?
The hours rolled by. No sleep for us both.
Finally, before the sun shone up, he lay there flat. The trembling had stopped. The pain relief brief.
But the day was hard. How long should I keep this up?
It’s severe osteoarthritis. The worst the vet has ever seen. Monthly trips to the vet for a shot with anti-inflammatory medication to support. Some days are worse then others.
A long time ago when my son was young we visited a friend on his deathbed, from a severe arthritic condition. The pain was clear. Our visit was brief.
When we left my son turned to me and said.
“Mum why can’t we just put him to sleep?”
Today for the first time, I contemplate that thought, for my dear friend, Fred.
It’s so hard to let go. To say goodbye.
To our dear furry friends.
